The killing of Charlie Kirk and its aftermath became the top news story in September.
Coverage surrounding Kirk’s death and the ensuing political fallout led to increased interest in news for the three cable news networks in total viewers during primetime and total day.
In the Adults 25-54 demo, MSNBC was the only network that saw declines during both dayparts for the month. September also offered a historical footnote for MSNBC, as it was the final month in which the network and CNBC would operate fully as part of the NBCUniversal News Group family.
Fox News
According to Nielsen Media Research, Fox News in September had 2.541 million total viewers in primetime and 280,000 viewers in the adults 25-54 demo. During total day, it had 1.606 million total viewers and 178,000 viewers in the demo.
Compared to its performance in August 2025, Fox News grew by +10% in total viewers and +18% in the A25-54 demo during primetime viewing hours. During total day, it rose by +11% in total viewers and the demo when compared to the previous month.
Looking at Fox News’ performance against the same month in 2024, it was up by +1% in total viewers but down by -14% in the demo during primetime. In total day, it was also up by +12% in total viewers, but it was down by -8% in the demo. Fox News was the only network to record any year-over-year improvements in either of the observed dayparts.
The network finished September as the No. 1 cable network in total viewers and in second place in the demo during primetime. During total day, it was in first place in total viewers and was the No. 2 network in the demo.
MSNBC
MSNBC finished in second place among the most-watched cable news networks in primetime and total day in total viewers in September, with 810,000 and 507,000 viewers, respectively. The network in the A25-54 demo had 69,000 viewers in primetime and 45,000 viewers during total day.
Compared to August, MSNBC was up +3% in total viewers but down -4% in A25-54 during primetime. It also had a gain of +1% in total viewers but slipped by -2% in the demo during total day.
Looking at its performance in June 2024, MSNBC was down -43% in total viewers and -58% in the demo during primetime. It was down -45% in total viewers and -55% in the demo during total day.